Condo Associations can apply for a state grant worth up to $175,000, community leaders learned at the May 2 Hillcrest Leadership Council meeting.  The grant is part of a pilot program to help condo associations to harden the buildings which will will protect their building structures and possibly lessen insurance costs in the future.  Individual unit owners can not apply for this grant.

The packed meeting was held at Rec Center 2 on Hillcrest Ct.  Our State Rep. Marie Woodson briefed Hillcrest Leaders on the bill, HB 1029. This bill will provide some relief to condominium associations that are under pressure to fully fund reserve accounts, pass government-mandated inspections and help with the resulting assessments. 

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law which takes effect July 1, 2024.  The state Legislature, led by a bipartisan coalition of South Florida lawmakers, allocated $30 million for the program.

Woodson explained that the sponsors of the law wanted more money invested in the project.  But she said the group will return to Tallahassee for the next regular session in November and work together in an attempt to bring more relief to the condo residents of Florida. Details on the bill follow this article.

To apply for the grant, Woodson said Hillcrest condo Associations are required to hold a general meeting, discuss the grant, and vote to seek it.

UNIT OWNERS: GETTING THE $175,000 GRANT WILL DEPEND ON YOUR COOPERATION!
YOU NEED TO START NOW HELPING YOUR BOARD GET THE NECESSARY VOTE!

Woodson added that details of the program are still being worked out by the state Department of Financial Services, which will be administering the My Safe Florida Condo Pilot Program. To learn more, Association leaders can call 866-513-6734 or go to mysafeflhome.com.

In a related development, Woodson spoke with Mark Roth, a longtime leader of Hillcrest 26, before the HLC meeting started.  Roth, a retired attorney, suggested that it might make sense to file a constitutional challenge to the state law that requires condo Associations to fully fund their reserve accounts.  The reserve law was passed after the Surfside condo collapse a few years ago. 

Woodson also told the audience about other legislative initiatives that have either passed, been signed by the governor, or require more action when lawmakers return in the fall. After thanking veterans in the audience, Woodson said the state House and Senate passed HB 725.  The bill allows veterans and their loved ones that require long-term care to stay in the same facility.  Representatives Woodson and John Snyder sponsored the bill, which awaits the governor’s signature.

Another Woodson sponsored bill, HB63, protects medical workers and patients in operating rooms.  According to Woodson, this bill requires hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt and implement policies requiring the use of smoke evacuation systems during certain surgical procedures to capture the generated toxic smoke. The bill was not approved by the state Senate; however, Woodson will re-file it during the next session.

Stressing the importance of bipartisanship, Woodson said she will reach out to all lawmakers and Casey DeSantis, the Governor’s wife.  The Broward County lawmaker said she will ask for a meeting with Ms. DeSantis to discuss HB 773.  Woodson sponsored the bill, but it did not get enough support in the legislature. If eventually passed and signed by Gov. DeSantis, HB 773 would provide additional support for breast cancer patients.  Casey DeSantis is a breast cancer survivor after being diagnosed in 2021.

HB 773: Coverage for Diagnostic and Supplemental Breast Examinations. GENERAL BILL by Select Committee on Health Innovation; Woodson; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Benjamin; Chaney; Daley; Gottlieb; Hart; Hunschofsky; Williams.

Coverage for Diagnostic and Supplemental Breast Examinations; Prohibits state group insurance program from imposing on enrollee any cost-sharing requirement with respect to coverage for diagnostic breast examinations & supplemental breast examinations.

Effective Date: 1/1/2025 Last Action: 3/8/2024 House – Died in Health & Human Services Committee.

Catherine Evanoff, Treasurer for the Beverly Hills Condominiums, right down the road from Hillcrest, attended the meeting.  Her community has had sizeable assessments also. She told Rep. Woodson about a yearly fee the state charges condominium associations statewide. The state charges each Association $62.50 to register as a non-profit with the State of Florida. They also charge each Association $4 per year per year for every unit in the condominium. According to Evanoff’s research, there are about 1.5 million condominium units in the Sunshine State.  That’s a nice chunk of change which she said the law earmarks for condo education efforts. However, Evanoff said, state lawmakers have been using these fees to close budget gaps.  Because of increasing financial pressure on condo owners, Woodson said she will investigate whether at least some of that money could be used to offset increased costs.

The almost two-hour meeting also included information from District 6 Commissioner Idelma Quintana.  She represents us at City Hall.  Quintana repeated her offer to attend building meetings to meet with Association leaders and unit owners. And she thanked Steven Hurtig, President  of Hillcrest 25, for inviting her to their board meeting last month and having the opportunity to meet the residents and answer their questions and concerns.

Quintana noted that the City is gearing up to revise its Comprehensive Plan which outlines goals as we move forward.  The last plan, she said, was written in 2008.  Once written and approved, the new plan will guide the City through 2050.  Quintana said a public meeting will be held to get suggestions and comments from residents.

On a sad note, she said the Broward County School Board is facing tough times. Consequently, school officials are thinking about closing three public schools in the southern part of Broward County, including two local schools: Olsen Middle, in nearby Dania Beach, and Oakridge Elementary, here in Hollywood.

Saying she is thrilled that a Wawa opened recently on 441 and Hollywood Blvd., Quintana added that she prefers to support local businesses when they also offer great service.  And The Modern Rose at 4300 Hollywood Blvd. fits that bill, she said, by providing outstanding food, beverages, and service.

Hillcrest’s Neighborhood Team Leader, Hollywood Police Officer Joshua E. Grotenhuis gave Hillcrest leaders an update on recent crimes in our community.  There were a couple of domestic disturbance calls and police also dealt with a handful of car-related crimes during the month of April.

He also talked about the incident that happened May 1st between the hours of 4AM and 8AM. The Hollywood Police and members of the Broward County Sheriff’s Department arrested a man who had barricaded himself inside a second-floor laundry room at Hillcrest Building 1. Police had been looking for the man in connection with several burglaries, and instances of lewd behavior.  

His arrest followed a few weeks of detective work by Robert Ducker, Prez Hillcrest 5 and Jim Bowers, Prez Hillcrest
3. Ducker is also the president of the President’s Council for the low and midrise buildings, and Bowers serves as Treasurer.  They tracked the man on cameras installed throughout the area and advised the HPD when they spotted him on Hillcrest property. 

Additionally, thanks to Jim Bowers, Hillcrest 3, Officer Grotenhuis brought affidavits and No Trespassing signs for each building. 

To better protect building property, a signed affidavit would entitle the building to post a No Trespassing sign at the entrance that would allow the HPD to intercept and arrest trespassers on building property without having to involve the board. 

The HLC members welcomed Hollywood Fire Department Captain Amy Parrinello, who shared information on three local programs that can benefit our community.  One program is called 211.  Run by Broward County, people 55 and older can sign up to get daily wellness phone calls.  This service gives residents living alone reassurance that someone is checking on them every day.

Allies is a second program, run through Memorial Health Care.  It is for people who are 65 or older.  If you need help with food, exercise, medication or other social services, call (954) 662-8835 or (954) 371-5631.

The third program is offered by the Hollywood Fire Department.  New parents are required to have safe baby seats installed in their cars from the time they take their newborn home from the hospital.  Trained fire fighters can provide that service for free, Parrinello said.  Call (954) 967-4341 for more information. You can also reach Captain Parrinello at aparrinello@hollywoodfl.org if you have questions.

The next meeting of the Hillcrest Leadership Council is scheduled for June 6, 2024, 6 pm, at Rec Room 2,
1151 Hillcrest Court.